Shared Data Latch Circuitry for Inkjet Printhead Nozzle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of nozzles per printhead increases in inkjet printing systems, efficiently coordinating the firing of nozzles with electronic signals becomes a challenge, affecting printing speed and quality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a shared data latch circuitry where multiple nozzle cells share a latched data node, reducing electrical disturbances and capacitance, and using a minimum sized transistor to minimize charge sharing, allowing for efficient data transfer and reduced susceptibility to electrical disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzles per printhead is increased, then printing speed and quality are improved, but the complexity of coordinating nozzle firing with electronic signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead is divided into multiple nozzle cell blocks, with each block containing a subset of nozzles and its own dedicated data latch circuitry. This segmentation allows independent control and reduces the complexity of coordinating all nozzles simultaneously, as each block can be controlled separately with its own timing and signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
Data latch circuitry is introduced as an intermediary component between the electronic signal source and the nozzle firing mechanism. The latch circuitry temporarily stores and manages the data signals, coordinating the timing and delivery of firing commands to multiple nozzles or nozzle blocks, thereby simplifying the overall control architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of nozzles per printhead is increased, then printing quality is improved, but the space requirements for firing cells increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzles are grouped into nozzle cell blocks that share common structural elements and support infrastructure. By merging functions and sharing common components among adjacent nozzles, the space required per nozzle is reduced, allowing higher nozzle density without proportionally increasing the total printhead size.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle cell blocks are arranged in a compact, nested configuration where components are efficiently packed and shared. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces, maximizing the use of available printhead real estate while maintaining all necessary firing cell functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables effective coordination of nozzle firing, enhancing printing speed and quality by reducing electrical disturbances and minimizing space requirements for firing cells, thus addressing the challenge of increased nozzle density.
Implementation Method 1
The ink is heated with small electric heaters, such as thin film resistors also referred to as firing resistors. Heating the ink causes the ink to vaporize and be ejected through the nozzles.
Implementation Method 2
Implementing a shared data latch circuitry where multiple nozzle cells share a latched data node, reducing electrical disturbances and capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid ejection device includes a plurality of firing cells, a clocked latch switch, and a data latch switch. Each firing cell includes a heater used to fire ink through a nozzle, a drive switch, and a memory cell used to store a control value used to control the drive switch. The memory cell includes a data switch. A clocked latch switch receives a data-in signal and latches the data-in signal. All of the firing cells in the plurality of firing cells use the data-in signal latched by the clocked latch switch. The data latch switch latches the data-in signal to the data switch of at least two, but not all of the firing cells in the plurality of firing cells.